Refill cartridge for a drink dispensing device and device designed for such a cartridge

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a food substance refill element for an automatic fluid dispensing device. The refill element includes a receptacle containing a quantity of the substance to be refilled into the fluid dispensing device and a closing member that cooperates with the receptacle to form a hermetically enclosed chamber. The closing member includes a detachment portion so that the closing member is at least partially detached from the receptacle when the refill element is introduced into the automatic fluid dispensing device or after the refill element has been introduced in the automatic fluid dispensing device. The invention also relates to a fluid dispensing device for use with the refill element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a division of copending U.S. application Ser. No.09/861,206, filed May 18, 2001, which is a division of application Ser.No. 09/497,457, filed Feb. 3, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,948. Thecontent of both parent applications is expressly incorporated herein byreference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention is directed at devices for automatically dispensingdrinks, sauces or other fully prepared products on demand. Inparticular, the invention is concerned with dispensing devices that usepulverised substances, such as soluble powders of coffee, tea,chocolate, and the like, and which are to be refilled regularly.Advantageously, the invention is concerned with drink-dispensing devicesused for serving passengers in aircraft, trains or other means oftransport that benefit from a catering service. The invention is alsodirected to devices for automatically dispensing drinks, which areinstalled in public places, and are equipped with a slot for acceptingcoins.

Background Art

[0003] Drink-dispensing devices and the like have to be supplied withsoluble pulverised substances regularly and in sufficient quantity toensure that several consumers can be served in succession. In general,the pulverised powder is supplied by manually filling a reservoir in thedispenser with the powder packaged “in bulk”, for example, by means of ametering device or a bag. This method, however, is unsatisfactory, sinceit requires an investment of work time by the person carrying out thetask. In addition, manually filling a reservoir may be messy. This isparticularly problematic when the reservoir has to be filled underunstable or turbulent conditions, as may be the case in an aircraft.Manually filling a reservoir may also result in an appreciable loss ofpowder. Furthermore, the distribution of the powder in the meteringsystem (for example, a metering screw) may be variable, depending on thecircumstances and, thus, may lead to considerable variation in theconcentrations of the dispensed products.

[0004] There are dispensers designed for receiving cartridges orcontainers which are filled with soluble pulverised substances that areopened before being introduced into the dispensing device. The document,GB 1,325,478, for example, teaches such a principle. In this particularcase, the container comprises an adhesive tape which is delaminatedbefore the container is placed in the device. Since the container isplaced in the device after it is completely opened the above-mentioneddisadvantages are not avoided.

[0005] There are also automatic dispensing devices, such as thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,910, where the pulverised material iscontained in a bag and the bag is opened by cutting the bottom of thebag by with a cutting system housed inside the device. Such a system,however, is relatively complicated and costly. Moreover, the system istoo bulky to be used in a restricted space, such as on an aircraft.

[0006] Therefore, there is a real need to have a method for refillingdispensers with pulverised substances or the equivalent, that is simpleand quick to use, does not result in any loss of material, and, ifappropriate, can be put into practice in a restricted space.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to fulfil theseexpectations by providing a refill element that is designed to releaseits substance in the device, without having to open the refill elementprior to placing it in the device and without using a cutting systemincorporated in the dispensing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention relates to a refill element for an automatic fluiddispensing device and a device for automatically dispensing a fluidmixed with a substance.

[0009] The refill element for an automatic fluid dispensing deviceincludes a receptacle having a periphery within which is contained apredetermined quantity of a substance to be filled into the device and aclosing means or closing member that cooperates with the receptacle toform an enclosed chamber. The closing means includes a detachment meansor detachment portion that engages a retaining part on the device to atleast partially detach the closing means from the receptacle either whenthe refill element is introduced into the dispensing device or after therefill element has been introduced into the device.

[0010] The detachment means may be formed from a free portion of theclosing means. Preferably, the free portion is an extension of theclosing means that extends beyond the periphery of the receptacle. Thedetachment means engages the retaining part of the device when therefill element is introduced into the device. The retaining part iscomplementary to the detachment means, so as to keep the free portion inplace when the refill element is introduced into the dispensing device.In one embodiment the detachment means is at least one projectingportion on the free portion and the retaining part is a complementaryedge of the device, so that the at least one projecting portion forms anabutment that bears on the complementary edge of the dispensing devicewhen the refill element is introduced into the device. In anotherembodiment the detachment means is at least one hole formed in the freeportion and the retaining part is a complementary rod portion on thedevice, so that the at least one hole engages with the complementary rodportion when the refill element is introduced into the device.

[0011] The closing means may include an actual closing portion, thatcooperates with the receptacle to form an enclosed chamber; and a freeportion superposed with respect to the actual closing portion, whereinthe free portion has a first end and a second end, the first end beinglocated on the side of the receptacle that is introduced into the deviceand is connected to the closing means so as to form a folded-back edge,and the second end extends beyond the side of the receptacle that isopposite to the side introduced into the receptacle and is capable ofbeing reached manually after the refill element has been introduced intothe device.

[0012] The receptacle may be in the form of an elongated tray having across section of substantially trapezoidal shape, wherein the largerbase of the trapezoid is extended in a substantially identical plane bylateral edges, to which the closing means are detachably connected. Thelateral edges may extend over the entire periphery of the larger base ofthe trapezoid.

[0013] The closing means may be a flexible film joined by adhesion orsealing to the lateral edges of the receptacle so that the closing meanscan be detached from the receptacle by delaminating at least a portionof the film from the edges of the receptacle. The flexible film may be amoisture-resistant or tear-resistant material. The flexible film may beheat-sealed to the lateral edges of the receptacle.

[0014] The receptacle may be made from plastic by thermoforming,injection, extrusion blow-moulding, or injection blow-moulding plastic.

[0015] The substance may be a pulverised or powdered food substanceuseful for the preparation of drinks. The pulverised food substance maybe one or more of roasted or ground coffee; soluble coffee; tea;chocolate-containing drinks; milk; and flavored drinks based on fruits,herbs, sugar, leguminous plants, and natural or artificial aromas.

[0016] The invention also relates to an apparatus for automaticallydispensing a fluid mixed with a substance. The apparatus includes atleast one substance-supply subassembly for supplying a substance to bemixed with a fluid. The substance-supply subassembly includes: a housingfor receiving at least one above-described refill element by sliding therefill element into the housing when the refill element is oriented sothat the closing means at least partially forms the bottom of the refillelement; at least one receiving means for receiving the substance, thereceiving means being located below the refill element so that the foodsubstance falls into the receiving means when the closing means isdetached from the receptacle; a means for metering the substance in thereceiving means into a mixing bowl; and a retaining means that engageswith the detachment means on the refill element when the refill elementis slid into the housing to at least partially detach the closing meansfrom the refill element.

[0017] The apparatus may further include a fluid supply to supply fluidto the mixing bowl and a dispensing outlet for dispensing the substancedispersed or dissolved in the fluid. The apparatus may further include amashing chamber comprising an agitation means or agitator for theproduction of froth, located between the mixing bowl and the dispensingoutlet.

[0018] The metering means may be a screw arranged horizontally andsubstantially oriented in the vertical plane in which the refill elementextends longitudinally.

[0019] The housing may include a guide means in the form of twolaterally spaced rails to ensure that the refill element slides in asubstantially horizontal plane when inserted into the subassembly.

[0020] The retaining means may be at least one transverse edge of thehousing that the detachment means comes into abutment with when therefill element is introduced into the housing. The retaining means mayalso be at least one rod portion onto which the detachment means engageswhen the refill element is being introduced into the housing.

[0021] The means for receiving the substance may be a funnel or hopperhaving widened edges.

[0022] The apparatus may include a plurality of supply subassemblieswherein the subassemblies are arranged parallel to each other and incommunication with a common mixing bowl.

[0023] The a housing may be arranged to receive more than one refillelement arranged in a vertical stack after they are introduced into thedevice.

[0024] The invention also relates to a drink-dispensing apparatus. Thedrink-dispensing apparatus includes at least one refill element forfilling the dispensing device with a pulverised substance. The refillelement preferably comprises a receptacle in the form of an elongatedtray containing the pulverised substance within its periphery and adetachable film that cooperates with the refill element to form anenclosed chamber. The film has a foldable free portion that extendsbeyond the periphery of the receptacle. The free portion isadvantageously provided with the detachment means. The dispensing devicealso comprises a housing for receiving the refill element and aretaining means which engages the detachment means when the refillelement is introduced into the housing. Thus, the movement ofintroducing the refill element into the housing causes the film to bedelaminated from the refill element so that the substance is releasedinto the dispensing device by gravity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 illustrates a diagrammatic perspective view of a dispensingdevice of the invention comprising two partially inserted refillelements;

[0026]FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of the principle of insertion ofthe refill element of the invention into the dispensing device,according to a first embodiment;

[0027]FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic view of the principle of insertion ofthe refill element of the invention into the dispensing device accordingto a second embodiment;

[0028]FIG. 4 is a side view of a refill element according to the firstembodiment corresponding to FIG. 2;

[0029]FIG. 5 is a front view of the refill element according to thefirst embodiment corresponding to FIG. 2;

[0030]FIG. 6 is a top view of the refill element according to the firstembodiment corresponding to FIG. 2;

[0031]FIG. 7 is a top view of the refill element according to the secondembodiment corresponding to FIG. 3;

[0032]FIG. 8 is a partial view, in longitudinal section, of thedispensing device when the refill element is in place in the device;

[0033]FIG. 9 is a sectional view, along the line A-A, of the deviceillustrated in FIG. 8;

[0034]FIG. 10 is a side view of a refill element according to a thirdpossible embodiment;

[0035]FIG. 11 is a front view of the refill element according to thethird embodiment corresponding to FIG. 10; and

[0036]FIG. 12 is a top view of the element of the refill elementaccording to the third embodiment corresponding to FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The dispensing device is a machine for dispensing hot drinks ofcoffee or the like, which can be installed in a small-sized spaceprovided for this purpose, such as, for example, in the reserved spaceof an aircraft. FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the device.The device comprises a body (10) forming the frame of the device, anopen drink-dispensing zone (11) located at the base of the dispenser, apanel (12) provided with preselection buttons (not shown) and an infeedzone (13) for the sliding engagement of tray-shaped refill elements (2)according to the invention.

[0038]FIGS. 2 and 4 to 6 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention.The refill element (2) is intended to be inserted into a housing (14) ofsubstantially complementary shape which is formed in the infeed zone(13) of the device. The refill element (2) has a receptacle (20)containing a particular quantity of substance to be refilled such ascoffee, tea, milk, or the like in pulverised form. The quantity ofsubstance contained in the receptacle may vary, depending on thedimensions of the receptacle and the specific gravity of the product.The quantity may be determined as a function of the number of individualproduct portions intended to be provided after metering by a meteringmeans of the device. For example, from about 1 to 200 individualportions may be considered. The bottom of the refill element is formedby a closing means (25), in such a way that the mass of substance to berefilled rests directly on the closing means when the refill element isin the configuration depicted in FIG. 2. The refill element (2) formedby the receptacle (20) and the closing means (25) defines a hermeticallyenclosed chamber.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment the closing means (25) is a flexiblefilm joined by adhesion or by sealing to the edges (21) of thereceptacle (20). The folded-back lateral edges (21) of the receptacle(20) extend preferably over the entire periphery of the receptacle (20)forming a tray, so as to assist the support, stability and guidance ofthe tray in the device. Advantageously, the closing means (25) is in theform of a film that is heat-sealed to the lateral edges (21) of thereceptacle (20).

[0040] As shown more particularly in FIG. 2, the closing means (25) isextended beyond the front of the refill element (2) by a free portion(26) which partially extends beyond the receptacle. By “free portion” ismeant a portion having a free end, i.e., a portion not adhered to thelateral edges (21) of the receptacle (20), when the receptacle (20) isnot engaged in the device. This portion is flexible so that it can befolded back against the surface of the closing means or film (25). Thefree portion (26) may simply be an extension of the closing means orfilm (25). One feature of the invention is that the free portion (26)comprises a mechanical catching means (27) formed from at least oneprojecting portion (28). The projecting portion (28) forms an abutmentintended to come to bear on a complementary edge (140) delimiting theentrance of the housing (14) of the dispensing device (1). The housing(14) possesses an upper wall (142) which, with the lower edge (140),defines a height H which, bearing in mind the dimensional tolerances,allows the sliding engagement of the refill element (2) with theexception of the catching means (27). Thus, the height H corresponds tothe height H of the refill element (2), i.e., the height of thereceptacle together with its edges (21).

[0041] The catching means (27) may be a plate made of semi-rigid orrigid plastic adhesively bonded or welded to the closing means orflexible film (25), so as to be resistant to delamination, andinterrupted with respect to the edge of the receptacle (20) so as topreserve a non-covered and foldable flexible film zone (29). As shown inFIG. 5, the catching means (27) may comprise two abutments (28) spacedlaterally from one another. In another variant, which is notillustrated, the catching means could be a continuous projecting edgeextending over the entire width of the free portion (26) or any otherequivalent means.

[0042] Installing the refill element (2) is particularly simple.Installing the refill element (2) merely involves putting the front ofthe refill element (2) in place at the entrance of the housing, so as tocause the free portion (26) to be folded back along the flexible zone(29) so that the downward facing projecting portion (28) is thenprevented from entering the entrance of the housing by the edge (140) ofthe housing. Sufficient force is then applied to drive the receptacle(20) into the housing, the closing means (25) being detached as a resultof the effect of delaminating the film along the sealed edges (21) ofthe receptacle. Delamination may be obtained on only a portion of thelength of the receptacle. In this case, delamination may be completedmanually. Alternatively, delamination may be carried out over the entirelength of the receptacle. As delamination occurs, the substance isreleased into the device due to gravity. Since the delaminated refillelement (20) is in an internal position with respect to the transverseedge (140) there is no risk of spillage outside the device.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the receptacle (2) may be in the formof an elongated tray having a cross section of substantially trapezoidalshape, the larger base of the trapezoid being prolonged in asubstantially identical plane by lateral edges (21), to which theclosing means (25) is detachably connected. The specific cross-sectionalshape of the tray is adapted to the shape of the housing, so as to allowonly a single direction of engagement and eliminating any risk ofengagement error.

[0044]FIGS. 3 and 7 show another embodiment of the invention, in whichthe catching means comprises at least one hole (22) formed in the freeportion (26) of the catching means and intended for engaging onto acomplementary rod portion (141) of the dispensing device (1). Theopening of the receptacle is therefore based on a principle similar tothat of the previous case.

[0045] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible filmis preferably produced from moisture-resistant and tear-resistantmaterial. Preferably, the film is a laminate comprising an aluminiumfilm lined on the inside with a film of heat-meltable material, so as toassist in joining the film to the edges (21) of the receptacle (20).

[0046] Preferably the receptacle (20) is a plastic based material formedby thermoforming, injection, extrusion blow-moulding, injectionblow-moulding, and the like.

[0047]FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an example of a dispensing device towhich the invention refers. The device comprises a subassembly (7) forthe supplying a pulverised substance. The subassembly includes an infeedzone (13) which forms the upper part of the body of the device and inwhich is arranged the housing (14) for receiving the refill element (2).The refill element (2), in an upturned position, is slid into thehousing so that the receptacle (20) has its opening directed downwardswhen it is freed of its closing means (25). The housing has a shapeand/or dimensional configuration such that the element cannot beintroduced in the other direction, i.e., with the closing means directedupwards.

[0048] Below the refill element (2) is located a means for receiving thefood substance (4), the receiving means (4) serves to collect thesubstance falling into the device due to gravity. Preferably, thisreceiving means (40) is a hopper (also called a “canister”) providedwith widened edges (40), (41), and (42). When particularly stickysubstances are being used, it may be necessary to provide straight edgesin order to avoid any undesirable caking of the substance. An accessorysystem intended for breaking up the powder may, of course, be added, ifnecessary. A representative example of one such accessory system wouldbe a gear wheel driven by meshing with the screw.

[0049] The receiving means (4) leads the pulverised substance directlyonto a metering means (5), the function of which is to meter the desiredquantity of substance into a mixing chamber (6). Such metering means arewell known in the art. Preferably the metering means consists of ametering screw located at the bottom of the hopper. The screw may be ofthe spiral type, such as a wire in the form of a helical spiral. It mayalso be a screw comprising a solid core structured externally with ahelical rib of predetermined pitch.

[0050] Advantageously, the metering screw is arranged horizontally andis substantially oriented in the vertical plane in which the refillelement (2) extends longitudinally. Such a relative arrangement of thescrew and of the refill element (2) contributes to a good distributionof the pulverised substance in the device at the moment it is released;as a consequence metering accuracy is improved.

[0051] The screw is mounted on a shaft portion (50) supported by abearing (51). The shaft portion is connected to a stub (52) to associateit with a motorized drive device (not illustrated). A support element(53) is provided at the opposite end of the screw for holding the screw.The support element (53) comprises an orifice for pouring the powder.The support element (53) is connected to the front wall (45) of thehopper by fastening means.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of supply subassemblies (7 a) and(7 b) may be arranged in parallel, thus making it possible for thedevice to accommodate a plurality of refill elements (2), capable ofcontaining different pulverised substances, with each communicating witha common mixing bowl (6). The refill elements (2) may have differentvolumes.

[0053] The refill elements (2) are guided in their housing by guidemeans (43) and (44) in the form of laterally spaced rails, thus ensuringthat the refill elements (2) are slid in a substantially horizontalplane. The guide means (43) and (44) may, as illustrated, havehorizontal wall portions ensuring planar support on the edges (21) ofthe refill elements (2) and vertical portions ensuring longitudinalguidance, the horizontal and vertical portions being wide-angled.

[0054] The mixing bowl (6) is supplied with water (60) by means of asupply. It is possible to provide a separate supply of hot and coldwater. The device may also comprise its own water-heating system (notillustrated). Baffle and separation elements (61) may advantageously beprovided for assisting the mixing of the various substances.

[0055] The bowl is prolonged downwards by a mashing (or beating) chamber(8) which comprises an agitation means. The agitation means takes theform of a rotary member provided with a rotor (80) and blades (81). Themashing chamber (8) is generally enclosed. The function of the mashingchamber (8) is to produce a layer of froth on the surface of thedispensed drink. The agitation means may be deactivated for somepreparations where the production of froth is not desired. The preparedproduct is subsequently dispensed through an outlet duct (9) located atthe bottom of the device.

[0056] In one variant of the device, not illustrated, an assembly of aplurality of refill elements in a vertically stacked configuration maybe provided, each element being engaged according to the same principleas that just described. In this case, any element having an elementabove it will have an orifice in its upper surface to allow the passageof the substance from the element located above it. The orifice in theupper surface of an element may be provided according to the sameprinciple as the closing means is delaminated from the receptacle. Inthis case, the receptacle may have two opposite closing means, oneforming the upper surface of the element and the other forming the lowersurface of the receptacle. The advantage of having a plurality ofelements is that it affords greater flexibility when supply thedispensing device.

[0057] FIGS. 10 to 12 show variants in which the closing means (25)comprises an actual closing portion (250) of the receptacle (20) and afree portion (26) superposed with respect to the closing portion (250)and having a first end (251) located on the side on which the element isintroduced into the device, the first end (251) being connected to theclosing portion (250) so as to form a folded-back edge, and an oppositeend (252) extending beyond the length of the receptacle and beingcapable of being reached manually after the refill has been placed inthe device.

[0058] What is meant by “automatic dispensing device” is any type ofdispensing device activating a cycle for the reconstitution of foodpreparations ready for consumption.

[0059] The invention is suitable for refilling pulverised foodsubstances used to make drinks selected from roasted or ground coffee;soluble coffee; tea; chocolate-containing drinks; milk; flavored drinksbased on fruits, herbs, sugar, leguminous plants, and natural orartificial aromas; as well as mixtures of these products in anyproportion.

[0060] The invention is not, of course, limited only to the embodimentsdescribed, but may also relate to other embodiments which may beconsidered as equivalents or which come within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a method for dispensing a powdered foodsubstance to form a food product, the improvement comprising providingthe powdered food substance in an enclosed chamber that is formed in areceptacle and is closed by a closing member that cooperates with thereceptacle to form the enclosed chamber, the receptacle and closingmember being configured for at least partially removing the closingmember from the receptacle for releasing the powdered food substance asor after the receptacle is inserted into the dispensing device.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising providing the closing memberhaving a detachment portion configured and dimensioned to cooperativelyengage the dispensing device to at least partially detach the closingmember from the receptacle when the receptacle is inserted into thedispensing device.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprisingproviding the closing member attached to the receptacle along anattachment portion and providing the closing member with an extensionthat extends beyond the attachment portion, the detachment portion beingdisposed on the extension.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprisingproviding the detachment portion having an opening configured anddimensioned for receiving an engaging rod of the dispensing device uponinsertion of the receptacle into the device for at least partiallydetaching the cover member from the receptacle.
 5. The method of claim1, further comprising providing the closing member having: an actualclosing portion cooperating with the receptacle to form the enclosedchamber; and a free portion superposed with respect to the actualclosing portion, the free portion having a first end with a graspableposition disposed toward the front side of the receptacle and a secondend extending beyond the back side of the receptacle sufficiently to begrasped manually with the refill element introduced in the dispensingdevice, wherein the first end is connected to the actual closing portionsuch that pulling on the second end causes the free portion to detachthe actual closing portion from the receptacle to open the chamber. 6.The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the receptaclehaving an elongated tray.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprisingproviding the closing member having a moisture-resistant, flexible film.8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the powdered foodsubstance having a roasted or ground coffee, soluble coffee, tea, apulverized or powdered chocolate-containing drink substance, pulverizedor powdered milk, or a pulverized or powdered flavoured drink substancebased on fruits, herbs, sugar, leguminous plants, and natural orartificial aromas.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:inserting the receptacle into the dispensing device; and removing thecover member from the receptacle when the receptacle is at leastpartially inserted into the dispensing device.